Why? I just checked, it's actually been that way since 3.5, so possibly this was just never reviewed?
Even ignoring the simulation disconnect, other than certain classes' proficiency restrictions, that's the only reason to use a shortbow, composite or otherwise!
Curious whether ye Paizoans have an actual reason for this?
Why? I just checked, it's actually been that way since 3.5, so possibly this was just never reviewed?
Even ignoring the simulation disconnect, other than certain classes' proficiency restrictions, that's the only reason to use a shortbow, composite or otherwise!
Curious whether ye Paizoans have an actual reason for this?
Umm, why wouldn't you be able to use a longbow while mounted?
And yes, some weapons are inferior. It's been this way for a long time. When was the last time you saw someone use a club when they had the opportunity to use a mace?
Yar.
I believe the OP's point is this:
Longbows cannot be used while mounted.
and yet...
Composite Longbows can be used while mounted.
...and why this is.
...because the popular image of a Comp Longbow is of a 'recurve' design, allowing it to be more compact in nature than a 6' Longbow.
And yes, this has been in play since 1ED AD&D.
There are reasons to use Shortbows (comp or otherwise) and these come down to them being used by smaller creatures, and being (also) more compact and cheaper.
Not every Goblin archer or Halfling scout has the budget and inclination for a shiny new Comp Longbow!
Thank you, Pirate, that's what I meant - posted this mid-game and didn't want to take too long. :)
i was in tejons game last night when this came up so this afternoon i have been researching it. after a good 2 hrs of research (alot of which was in mongolian horse archers) i have found suficient info to make my decision on this subject
the mongolian horse archers almost always caried two or more composite bows. 1 short bow for mounted archery and one longer bow for firing from the ground both bows were recurve composite bows.
the short bow was between 2'8 and 3' tall on average and could produce much more power and around thhe same distance as the english longbow (generally seen as less acurate)
the longbow had a height ranging frome 4'4" to as much as 4'10" (keeping in mind that this is still a recurve bow. the actuall length is even longer). this bow was not shot in the same way as the english longbow. it was generally fired at a slightly turned angle held off the ground while standing.
my conclusion after having called a friend that makes bows consulted the encyclopedia and done reaserch online is simple
composite longbows, even though shorter than the english longbow, should not be able to be fired from a mount.
However the Japanese did have a long bow designed for use on horseback. I would consider such a device for elves.
i came across that while researching as well i looked into it a little further and the japanese bow u are speak of was generally shot from a still horse. it was to long to switch sides on the horse with any kind of speed. so while the concept of the longbow mounted option is awesome it would just be hard to make it work in dnd if u are trying to capture any kind of realism
Mr. Google helped me find this website:
http://www.wildwoodarchery.com.au/hun_bow.shtml
Evidently, the Hun composite bow is 59 inches and was used quite effectively from horseback.
The longbow they make is 68 inches. So just 9 inches longer.
Could both be considered "long" bows?? Hey, I'm not archer, but the Hun long bow has great range and powerful draw. So it's a great bow.
I've always thought that's what these games are emulating with the "composite" longbow, anyway. Your opinions may vary. :-)
i am sorry it turns out the shorter bow i mentioned earlier for the mongols is a specialty bow the bows they fired from horses were the longer one i mentioned
i have been directed to this website by a friend that has been working ont replicating native american tools weapons and living structures for the past 7 years.
http://www.krackow.com/nativeamerican.html
the longest bow i have found used on horse back is made by the cherokee tribes and yes it was fired from horse back this is a 60" self bow (1 piece of wood all the way through) and guess what the long bow in the pathfinder book says it is "at almost 5 feet in hieght" which means it is shorter than this bow
dire hobbit i checked out that site and i think i would have to agree with u almost all of the horse bows i have found are 54" + and 4 1/2 ft is closer to 5ft (pathfinders longbow) than it is to 3 ft (pathfinders shortbow) so i would classify them as longbows
Right then... looks like the real problem (on the simulation end) is the oversimplification of Shortbow -> Composite Shortbow, Longbow -> Composite Longbow. I'll have to think about that a bit more at some point.
Thought about it, and posted in the more apppropriate forum.